A subordinate unit of the 335th Theater Signal Command, the 505th Theater Tactical Signal Brigade is an Army Reserve unit based at the Las Vegas United States Army Reserve Center. It comprises two Expeditionary Signal Battalions, the 98th (Mesa, AZ) and the 319th (Fort Hunter Ligget, CA) and a Chemical Battalion (453rd in Bell, CA). While a Chemical Battalion might seem out of place in a Signal Brigade, its mission—detection of biological or chemical agents—is actually highly similar to other data-gathering tasks of Signal units.
Approved for wear on 16 September 2011, the 505th Theater Tactical Signal Brigade Distinctive Unit Insignia (sometimes referred to as a unit crest or as a DUI for short) features several images and elements common to Signal unit heraldry. A gridlined globe symbolizes the Brigade’s reach; lightning flashes represent communications and the speed at which they can be transmitted and received; and orange is used for the background because it is a Signal Corps color.
The meaning of the two scorpions that surmount the insignia is unclear; we suspect it refers to service in Iraq or Afghanistan, but unfortunately The Institute of Heraldry Web site has been shut down indefinitely and there is no ready way to learn more. Thankfully, the motto—“TOTUS PRO PATRIA”—is easy to decipher: “All For Country.”
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Distinctive Unit Insignias are worn by all Soldiers (except General Officers) in units that have been authorized to be issued the device. It is worn centered on the shoulder loops of the Army Green Service Uniform (AGSU) and the blue Army Service Uniform (ASU, Enlisted only) with the base of the insignia toward the outside shoulder seam. Current regulations do not permit the DUI to be worn on the Dress variations of either uniform, however.
More guidance on wear of the DUI is found in DA Pamphlet 670-1, Section 21-22, "Distinctive unit insignia" and 21–3(d) and (e), "Beret" and "Garrison Cap," respectively.Related Items505th Signal Brigade Patch (SSI)